Things I liked:
- Pacing was overall well done, I didn't feel like any part dragged particularly or got too rushed (except the ending but what is new in cdramas)
- The fight scenes were *chef's kiss*, choreography was on point and it was really exciting to watch
- I thought the acting was really consistent and everyone casted was giving it their all... Everyone cries so prettily in this haha
- I personally thought it had some artistic shots that were really beautiful
- It got a few laughs out of me, and I didn't find the comedy too intrusive... Though it could kinda goofy, it didn't detract from serious scenes.
- The original soundtrack is sung beautifully, though I thought they sometimes cycled too much too fast through the songs... Yes, I understand it's an emotional scene.
- I quite enjoyed the ending as it was filmed... Reading the book's ending, I think it was rather more dramatic and it would've extended the series too far if they hand't changed it. Though I'd hoped for more lovey-dovey married couple stuff :(

Things I didn't like:
- Chinese screenwriters have a vendetta against ending TV series... This was rather on point with it, with the last couple episodes feeling like an overstuffed burrito just spilling pseudo character development everywhere. No, I don't care about the Jiang family. No, I don't care about Consort Li and the Emperor's relationship. Etc,etc.
- The narration was lame. It reminded me of those lifetime movies based on real events... It was telling not showing. Literally.
- When it wasn't artistic, there was a real feeling of being hit on the head with everything they wanted me to pay attention to, and yes the CGI guqin competition was the pinnacle of this. I think they could've done it better and with more subtlety. Specially compared to a similar scene - XFF playing a song to rattle SYR during the princess' birthday. Beautiful, emotional... NO CGI.
- There was a lot of standing around gaping whenever XFF began her monologues.
- I cringe hard everytime I remember XH's laughter and goofy grin in the last episode... It seemed wildely out of character to me

Honorary mentions to:
- Xiao Heng's fan, which I'm convinced is the root of every dramatic thought he has ever had (he's very dramatic)
- The forever full moon MC that appears every single night, really auspicious
- The rain is also an important MC that appears often, especially whenever the scene has to have dramatic or artistic value
- The absolutely unhinged porn BG music that plays sometimes in XFF and XH romantic scenes, most unfortunately
- The main couple's double power to destroy any and all side characters... RIP everyone!